One-dimensional Vanadyl Phosphate Containing the Tancoite-like {vIvO（HPO4）2}2- Chain

A vanadyl phosphate containing a new member of tancoite-like single chain, （DAPH2）[VIVO（HPO4）2]·xH20 （x ≈ 0.2, DAP = 1,3-diaminopropane, C3H10N2）, has been synthesized under hydro（solvo）thermal conditions. It crystallizes in orthorhombic space group P21212 （No. 18） with a = 7.1730（14）, b = 19.252（4）, c = 8.6557（17） A, Z= 4, V= 1195.3（4）A3, C3H14.38N2P2VO9.19, Mr = 338.47, Dc = 1.881 g/cm3,μ（MoKa） = 1.138 mm-1 and F（000） = 692. The final full-matrix least-squares refinement converged to R = 0.0408, wR = 0.1046 for 2498 observed reflections with I 〉 2σ（I） and R = 0.0456 and wR = 0.1080 for all data （2750） and S = 1.001. Its one-dimensional 1 structure consists of tancoite-like ∞1 {vIVO（HPO4）2}2- single chains surrounded by DAPH22＋ ions and water molecules. The single chain is built from trans-corner-sharing octahedral {VIV= O…VIV} backbone loop-branched by HPO4 groups like staple forming a new member of tancoite single chain. Due to the special coordination of VIVO6, the ∞1 {VO（HPO4）2-} chain adopts a larger M-O-M angle （V-O-V = 135°） than those of tancoite chains reported before. The corner-sharing linear {VIV = O…VIV} chain structure also leads to a one-dimensional weak antiferromagnetic interaction at low temperature. The magnetic measurements confirm the 4＋ valence state of vanadium. IR and TG results of the title compound are also discussed.     

Crystal Structure and Thermal Stability Properties of a New 1D Chain Cu（ll） Coordination Polymer with 2,3-Pyridinedicarboxylic Acid as the Ligand

A new 1D chain copper coordination polymer [CuE（H2L）2（C10HsN2）（HEO）2]n＇3n（H20） with 2,3-pyridinedi carboxylic acid （H2L） and 2,2＇-bipyridine （2,2＇-bipy） as ligands has been synthesized in the mixed ethanol and water solvents. Crystal data for this complex are as follows： monoclinic, space group P2Jc, a = 7.7713（7）, b = 27.478（3）, c = 13.2621（13）/1,, fl = 100.6940（10）, V= 2782.8（5） A3, Dc = 1.722 g/cm3, Z = 4, p = 1.61 mm-1, F（000） = 1472, the final R = 0.0363 and wR = 0.0933. In the crystal structure, the whole molecule consists of two cooper ions, two H2L, one 2,2＂-bipy molecule and six water molecules. Each central copper ion is coordinated with three oxygen atoms from two H2L and one water molecule, two nitrogen atoms from one 2,2＇-bipy molecule and two H2L, giving a distorted tetragonal pyramidal geometry. Thermal stability properties of the complex were investigated.     

A quick and green ionic liquid-mediated approach for the synthesis of high-performance, organosoluble and thermally stable polyimides

Three diamine monomers with different derivatives of imidazole heterocyclic ring and meta-linked aryl ethers were synthesized and used in polycodensation reaction with various commercial dianhydrides for preparation of a series of novel poly(ether-imide) (PEI)s. The polycodensation reactions were carried out by using conventional method and in a green medium of ionic liquid (IL) without using NMP-pyridine-acetic anhydride. The PEIs were obtained in good yields (80% 96%) with moderate viscosity (0.48 0.66 dL/g) in a shorter reaction time (10 h) in IL as compared with the conventional method (36 h). All of the polymers were amorphous in nature, showed excellent solubility in amide-type polar aprotic solvents with ability to form tough and flexible films, and excellent thermal stability with Tgs in the range of 212 340 ℃ and 10% weight loss temperature (T10) up to 570℃ in N 2 and 528 ℃ in air.     

Liquid crystal parameters through image analysis

A technique which combines image analysis and polarising optical microscope (POM) is a useful tool for the physical investigation of discotic liquid crystals, such as hexabutoxytriphenylene and hexahexyloxytriphenylene. This investigation includes the phase transitions, optical properties and order parameter as a function of temperature. Textures of discotic liquid crystals are captured as a function of temperature using POM. These microscopic textures are analysed using MATLAB software to compute statistical parameters, Legendre moments, optical parameters and order parameters of discotic liquid crystal samples. Compared with other techniques in the literature, the proposed methodology is a reliable and very simple technique for the physical investigation of liquid crystals.     

Electro-optic effect,propagation loss,and switching speed in polymers containing nano-sized droplets of liquid crystal

Polymers containing droplets of liquid crystal smaller than 100 nm, which have good transparency and easily form films, were prepared under various conditions to evaluate their potential as electro-optic materials for waveguide-type devices. By varying the liquid crystal concentration and the strength of the UV irradiation causing photo-induced phase separation of the droplets, we were able to control the droplet size and density. We have clarified how the birefringence generated in an applied electric field, switching speed, and optical loss of light propagating in the film depend on droplet size and density. Polymer materials having a large electro-optic effect (δn = 0.001 at 8 V μm^-1), low propagation loss (~2.5 dB cm^-1), and fast response time (~10 μs) have been developed.     

Structure and photoconductive behaviour of a sanidic liquid crystal

A series of [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene-2,7-dicarboxylate derivatives consisting of a flat, conjugated aromatic moiety containing sulphur hetero-atoms and substituted by terminal chains - ethyl, decyl, Z-4-decenyl or 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl - has been synthesized. These materials exhibit a smectic liquid crystalline phase, the stability of which was found to be strongly dependent on the length and the nature of the terminal chains. In the mesophase, the molecular arrangement within the smectic layer is characterized by a local stacking of the rigid parts similar to that found in discotic columnar systems. Finally, clear photoconductive behaviour was found in mechanically aligned samples of these liquid crystals.     

Enhanced dielectric and electro-optical properties of a newly synthesised ferroelectric liquid crystal material by doping gold nanoparticle-decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes

In this article, a newly synthesised ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) material, namely LAHS 22, has been characterised. The characterisation of the FLC material has been performed using dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and polarisation optical microscopy. We observed an enhancement in the dielectric and electro-optical properties of the FLC material by incorporating gold nanoparticles (GNPs)-decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The GNPs-decorated MWCNTs cause an increment in dielectric dispersion (up to kHz), absorption, spontaneous polarisation and rotational viscosity of the FLC material. The pure and GNPs-decorated MWCNTs doped FLC cells were analysed by means of various dielectric spectroscopic and optical measurements. The observed enhancement in the dielectric and electro-optical properties of the FLC material has also been studied with concentration of GNPs-decorated MWCNTs in FLC material. The GNPs-decorated MWCNTs/FLC composites are not only of fundamental importance, but also useful materials for device applications such as liquid crystal displays and memory devices.     

Multiple discrete energy levels and the bistable state of weak anchoring NLC cells

The weak anchoring nematic liquid crystal (NLC) cell is investigated with regard to energy. Because the Gibbs free energy of liquid crystal system used in theory does not include temperature and entropy, and because the equations and boundary conditions for δG=0 are also the mechanical equilibrium conditions of the continuum, the Gibbs free energy G is equivalent to the energy E of the liquid crystal continuum. There are multiple solutions which satisfy these equations and boundary conditions, each solution corresponding to a certain energy value. We call these discrete energy values and energy levels. Adopting a simple liquid crystal cell model, the energy levels are calculated in detail by means of analytical and numerical methods. The results show that there are three energy levels (or more in certain cases). The values and sequence of the energy levels are related to the external field and anchoring parameters. The relationships between the energy level structure and the bistable. Fréedericksz transition are disussed, together with their influence on the response time. The physical condition for the existence of more than three energy levels is also given.     

Optical studies of dynamic director configurations in ferroelectric liquid crystal devices

An investigation into the transmission spectrum of a ferroelectric liquid crystal device is undertaken. This is done both for an initial static state and during a switching process. Comparisons are made between experimental data and theoretical predictions. The dynamic internal director configurations in the device is shown to be consistent with a simple model during both monopolar and bipolar addressing pulses.     

Planar and non-planar solidification of optically organised smectic films

This letter describes an original freezing process that yields homogeneous solid films at ambient temperature with preservation of the layered structure of the chiral smectic phase. One of the most remarkable features of the process is its ability to provide complexly bent films with arbitrary three-dimensional shapes. Their optical homogeneity is observed in the planar as well as in the bent films. The method is very simple. After forming the films by spreading the liquid crystal above a hole in a glass slice placed over a hot stage, the film is heated from below. The hot film is exposed to ambient temperature. Then, a solid object at room temperature with a specifically adapted shape is immersed in the liquid film. The mechanical constraints imposed by the object curves the film and stabilises various solid two- and three-dimensional structures. Their homogeneous optical properties are due to long-range organisation of the molecular orientation (tilt), which combines with a complex helical arrangement of the frozen smectic layers.